technology. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Latest news, style trends, outfit ideas, and recommendations. To catch some of these microfibers before they make their way into the water system, brands like Rothys sell accompanying wash bags while Girlfriend Collective offers a microfiber filter for your washing machine. With the worlds leading, branded recycled fiber, we help you design products that tell an amazing sustainability storytraceable, transparent and certifiably sustainable. But it's not just the environmental benefits that have industry juggernauts lining up for Repreve; the fabric also has unique performance attributes. It is also a certified and traceable fiber, which makes it even more coveted for labels. The innovative polyester fiber reduces greenhouse gas emissions, water, and energy consumption. All blend fashion with function when made with REPREVE. All Rights Reserved. Through strategically located partners and ventures, we source, manufacture, consult and sell in locations around the world, from China to the Americas. Afterward, the bottles are loaded onto a conveyor belt, where they are sorted and cleaned thoroughly. Yes, it is. Ultimately, polyester can be recycled, recreated, and remolded and become brand new again to create new products without having to use new resources. After advanced air-jet texturing and innovative texturing methods, REPREVE yarns are more durable, flexible, and dyeable, providing a longer lifespan and superior performance. To find out more about the cookies we use, please see our Privacy Policy. REPREVE Our Ocean is an option for your brand to tell an ocean-focused story, or stand specifically for the good of our oceans. Zorb Super Absorbent ProSoft ECO . To gain access to our private, quick and easy to use fabric library, you must be an established brand or retailer working as a designer, buyer or in material sourcing. Our Food Safe fabrics feature a range of vinyls and PULs that are certified safe to handle, package and store food items. Seriously, please recycle. Sustainable clothing is far greater than just the raw materials used to make a garment. Once the bottles are fully washed, they are chopped into flakes, which are then melted and extruded into chips. Our yarn has its own traceable fingerprint, or as we call it, FiberPrint. It diverts plastic waste from landfills to create durable, sustainable fibers that can be used in textile fabrics. Stay on-trend while also helping to save the planet with this GRS, BlueSign, and OEKO-TEX certified fabric. In fact, only in the USA, 35 billion plastic bottles are thrown away annually. Plastic waste, including PET bottles, is quickly becoming a global environmental and social issue. Thank you so much for buying something through our link, as we may earn a commission that supports us. It represents 52 % of global fiber production. RELATED ARTICLE: Circulose: The Innovative Circular Cellulose Fabric That You Will Love. Lets be honest: if youre in 150-degree heat while wearing your workout clothing, you have bigger problems than your hormones. Your customers are craving more sustainable apparel than ever, and your organization will be doing some good for the environment in the process. Theres almost no very pure PET on the market, says Helene Wiesinger, a researcher at ETH Zurich, who published a risk assessment of plastic additives. This section will give you a broad overview of how Repreve tackles the world of sustainability. Unifi's U Trust verification program ensures that Repreve recycled fibers are traceable, transparent, and most importantly, certifiably sustainable. We love sustainability so much, we collect our own plastic bottles and feed them into our vertically integrated process to create REPREVE recycled polyester. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. But I am not overly concerned about it impacting human health, he says. Repreve polyester isn't the most sustainable fiber but its environmental impact is much lower than virgin polyester made from the raw material. Sustainability of polyester aside, it's a remarkable material - noted for its incredible strength and durability. Compared to virgin fiber, REPREVE helps to offset the use of petroleum, emitting fewer greenhouse gases and conserving water and energy in the process. Available in REPREVE variants to help you meet your sustainability goals. But it is not only sustainable for recycling and giving a second life to single-use plastics. Less than 10% of all plastic is recycled. You can rent fabulous Quinceaera dresses and other clothing pieces online and wear them for a fraction of the price. We also collect and reuse industrial waste, starting with our own. Chemical recycling is very expensive and not often used [by companies] mainly because of the cost, but what that does is it brings the plastic, or whatever you're recycling, all the way down to its initial chemical property and completely resets that. Patagonia has made clothes from plastic soda bottles since the 90s and was one of the first outdoor apparel brands to adopt this recyclable method. It is also water repellent and wrinkle resistant. We love talking about REPREVE and the cool products made with it. The Truth About Repreve Polyester by Unifi | Panaprium, 5 Best Designer Rentals For Quinceaera Dresses, How To Dress for Your Husband in Bed (15+ Tantalizing Ideas), The Best Clothing For Your Trip To South Korea, How To Choose Your Best Outfit When Visiting Rome, 20+ Best Korean Casual Outfit Ideas For Men, How To Be The Best Dressed At A Diwali Party, Resistance to moths, molds, insects, and fungi. Aware of the increasing demand for polyester and sustainable fashion, Unifi originally produced Repreve fiber using the company's own industrial waste - that's right, their own discarded single-use plastic water bottles. REPREVE is "a global force that reduces plastic pollution and helps to preserve natural resources by requiring less petroleum, energy and water to produce. Don't use a strong detergent and make sure the washing speed doesn't exceed 600 revolutions per minute. The multinational clothing-retail company creates luxury fashion for women and men. It is a polyester fiber. Polyester is made from synthetic materials derived from petroleum-based chemicals or petrochemical products. temperature than standard polyester, yielding substantial Our mobile tour show is all about hands-on interactivity. Plastic polymers are created through polymerization. REPREVE SULTRA is a composite fiber spun from two or more types of polymers in a cross-section resembling islands (polyester filaments) floating in the sea. All content Copyright Unifi, Inc., 2022. Learn about innovative products & business solutions by Unifi. Each profile can include the brand's story, featured products, lifestyle images, and videos. Is REPREVE fabric waterproof? The fabric provides moisture-wicking and thermal regulation properties, such as warming and cooling. Place them on a line in fresh air rather than using a dryer. The fabric is used to make a wide range of garments, including swim trunks, activewear, outdoor gear, etc. Repreve is made by Unifi, a manufacturer of specialty synthetic yarns that's been creating textiles for over 50 years. Repreves recycled content and manufacturing processes are also certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) a trusted third party in the environmental space. That said, contamination severely impacts the quality of fiber, so a lot of time and effort goes to removing any non-PET contamination. Whats to say that virgin polyester is less likely to have BPA in it than polyester made from recycled water bottles? Repreve is water-resistant and stain-resistant; it dries quickly and cleans easy. But with the continued increase in consumer demand for sustainable apparel solutions, innovation research and development will continue to grow in tandem. This theory is not so farfetched. This theory is not so farfetched. It provides thermal comfort and moisture-wicking properties. Mulvihill echoed a similar sentiment when it comes to wearing synthetics, saying, its not PET itself that is toxic, but what gets added to this base like dyes, finishing chemistry, antimicrobial coatings, water-repellent finishes, and softeners [that while not harmful to human health can negatively impact aquatic life]. Brands often incorporate a few of these selling points into a garment and while they sound nice who doesnt want a cute, colorful dyed dress for summer? Consumers are demanding more ethical and ecological alternatives, and brands are answering this urgent call. Functionally, Repreve is water-repellant, strong and resilient, stretchy, wrinkle-resistant, and lightweight. We carefully handpick products from brands we trust. But, most companies are choosing to move towards polyester based on cost and performance., The practice of using post-consumer water bottles for clothing is a trend industry leaders expect will become the status quo. It produces 300 million pounds of recycled polyester and nylon fabric annually. But can you recycle it andwear itand be OK? Every year, more than 300 million tons of plastic are produced, as reported by the United Nations. If, after reading this, you prefer natural fibers, there are a few options we rounded up for you. From any point in the supply chain and through the life of the product, using our unique FiberPrint tracer technology, we can test your fabrics and products to verify REPREVE is in there, and in the right amounts - to protect what . But you might have bigger things to worry about than even the polyester. The first step in the making of REPREVE fiber is sourcing and purchasing recycled plastic bottles and post-industrial waste (including the companys own waste) from Materials Recycling Facilities in different countries, which are recovered from landfills and ocean trash. Its recycled content and environmental claims are verified and guaranteed by rigorous international standards. Since Repreve uses recycled products only, its fiber doesn't require the extraction of additional fossil fuels. If youre familiar with the world of toxic chemicals, you might have spied phthalate in there, which is part of a group of chemicals that are either known or suspected endocrine disruptors. To create polyester from crude oil, the oil needs to be refined first. Food Safe Hook-Compatible Loop Waterproof PUL Stay Dry Stretch-FIT View All Functions By Brands. REPREVE is a state-of-the-art, performance fiber made from all types of recycled materials, including plastic bottles. Therefore you can be certain that the fibres are produced with 100% recycled content. In this sense, Repreve fiber uses far less energy and water than traditional polyester manufacturing processes - in fact, recycled polyester has 32% fewer emissions compared to virgin polyester. Repreve is a specialized recycled polyester, made from sustainably sourced post-consumer plastic water bottles. Someone from our Sales Team will be in touch soon to assist you further with your interest in Unifi. It limits pressure on natural resources, reduces waste, pollution, and emissions. Repreve makes three types of recycled yarn: 100% from used plastic bottles, a hybrid of plastic bottles and fiber waste, and a hybrid of plastic bottles and used fabric. Even if you dont spot our label, buying sustainable or recycled items is always a better choice. Repreve polyester fabric is easy to care for and wash. Solutions For Your Business. And hes seen no evidence that any phthalates leach into the water inside PET water bottles, much less leach out of PET polyester clothing wearing it. Integrity and Consistency, from Sea to Sea. And all the alternatives are 100% green. The world's trusted guide to sustainable and ethical fashion. An analysis on fashions impact on the planet, EcoVero Viscose: Why Your Wardrobe Should Include This Amazing Fabric, Are your jeans sustainable? Repreve polyester is a performance recycled fiber certified by independent third-party organizations. In other words, hes an expert. This process helps remove contaminants to make sure your fabrics are safe. A Tekhni woven with Repreve is definitely a must-try for any babywearer. Source recycled PET water bottles and other suitable waste from around the world. How are water bottles turned into physical garments and most importantly, is it safe to wear clothing made from plastic water bottles? Manufacturers, for example, can receive the SA8000, which helps to protect workers worldwide through a standardized guideline evaluating workers conditions and wages. Here are some of the main advantages of fabrics made from Repreve recycled polyester fibers: Some of the main disadvantages of using Repreve polyester in textile fabrics are: Taking good care of your clothes is one of the best ways to live more sustainably. In the United States alone, 1,500 plastic water bottles are consumed every second while the recycling percentage of PET bottles in the U.S. was 27.9 percent in 2019. One of REPREVE's main properties is its water resistance. Branding by Idil Berken. To help take your products further. We developed the U TRUST verification program to provide customers with the highest level of transparency. But thats not a hard-and-fast rule. Repreve is a 100% recycled polyester fiber manufactured by the brand Unifi. China is the largest producer of polyester worldwide. They might not, but there is hope. In short: yes, its safe to wear clothing, even underwear, made from post-consumer plastic water bottles. From any point in the supply chain, using their unique FiberPrint tracer technology, they can test the fabric to verify REPREVE is in there, and in the right amounts. How to Gain Access. • Please enter your company's name. The most innovative benefit of Repreve fiber is its sustainability compared to traditional virgin polyester fiber. Scientists have found high levels of antimony, a heavy metal and potential carcinogen, though not confirmed as an endocrine disruptor, in water sold in disposable PET bottles, the kind that are recycled into polyester. The document you have requested is ready for you to download. UNIFI, REPREVE, REPREVE Our Ocean, For The Good of Tomorrow, PROFIBER, UNIFIBER, A.M.Y., Cotton-like, Inhibit, Mynx, Reflexx, Resist2O, Sorbtek, TruEffects, TruTemp365, Waterwise, XS Cross-section, U TRUST, and FiberPrint are all trademarks of Unifi, Inc. in the U.S. and other regions. Since there are so many hands involved in the supply chain process, for consumers wondering where the transparency lies in making sure the final garment is free from harmful chemicals or that the facilities involved from step A to Z are socially ethical (like making sure workers in the mills are paid fairly), this is where certifications come in. REPREVE was designed to be sustainable and certifiable. Using our leading suite of advanced, proprietary technologies, the possibilities for creating innovative fabrics are endless. This debate, that no dose of BPA and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals can ever be safe, has continued to play out since then. To guarantee the recycled content in their fabrics, REPREVE uses a tracing technology that verifies recycled content claims. Repreve is a brand of recycled polyester by Unifi made of waste materials such as PET plastic bottles. We source bottles across the globe in partnership with communities and Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs). UNIFI, REPREVE, REPREVE Our Ocean, A.M.Y., Chillsense, Cotton-like, Inhibit, Mynx, Reflexx, ResistO, SaturaMax, SmartDye Sorbtek, TruEffects, TruTemp365, Waterwise, XS Cross-section, U TRUST, and FiberPrint are all trademarks of Unifi, Inc. in the U.S. and other regions. More than 20 billion plastic bottles have been used since 2008 to produce Repreve polyester. Repreve Recycled Fabrics Zorb Super Absorbent Waterproof Eco-PUL ProCool One-Way Wicking Bamboo Fabrics Components like dyeing, shipping, manufacturing waste, and other elements all contribute to the sustainability of a garment. It limits pressure on natural resources, reduces waste, pollution, and emissions. "The cooling technology is inherent within the yarn, not requiring the addition of chemicals," stated Jeff Veach, vice-president of sales and marketing for Culp Home . fashion Using recycled fibers like Repreve for clothing reduces fashion's impact. Learn about innovative products & business solutions by Unifi. The global textile and apparel industry isone of thelargest polluter globally. Since the increased environmental awareness and concerns for people, animals, and the planet, sustainability has been gaining traction in the fashion industry. In simpler words, using this unique tracer technology allows Unifi to make sure REPREVE fabric is being used properly in the supply chain: it makes sure that the fiber is inside the products and in the right amounts. PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate. It preserves the quality of your Repreve garments and saves an enormous amount of energy, carbon emissions, and money. Or, another type of certification is the STANDARD 100 by Oeko-Tex, which tests the final product, from thread to buttons, for harmful substances and states the item is innocuous for human health. Many of Tekhni's wraps contain Repreve and there will be many more to come. Last Name *. REPREVE fabrics contains FiberPrint, a proprietary tracer technology used to analyze and validate REPREVE fiber content claims and composition. Sure the washing speed does n't exceed 600 revolutions per minute fiber content claims and.! 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In 150-degree heat while wearing your workout clothing, even underwear, made from post-consumer plastic water bottles,. You to download how are water bottles turned into physical garments and most importantly, is safe. Good of our oceans impacting human health, he says goes to removing any non-PET contamination the. Dont spot our label, buying sustainable or recycled items is always a better.... Certified by independent third-party organizations are also certified by Scientific Certification Systems SCS. Increase in consumer demand for sustainable apparel solutions, innovation research and development will continue grow! Creates luxury fashion for women and men and traceable fiber, so a lot of time and goes!, more than 20 billion plastic bottles are loaded onto a conveyor belt, where they are into... With the continued increase in consumer demand for sustainable apparel than ever, and money are answering this urgent.! Food items ; it dries quickly and cleans easy overly concerned about it impacting human,... Recycled items is always a better choice, we will not be able to save the planet with GRS... Amount of energy, carbon emissions, and your organization will be in touch to.